Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. Program Fact Sheet

• 44 units of Technical Core Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Coursework and 10 units of Prerequisite Coursework (4 units of BIOL B32 counts toward perquisite & GE requirement B.1) with a minimum “C” grade plus Additional General Education 24 units (4 units of BIOL B32 is already counted in prerequisites) and Graduation Requirements for a total of 78 units for the PTA A.S. Degree.
• Certificate: Certificate not available.
• Transfer: A.S. Non-transferable Degree: Transfer preparation varies from university to university. Meet with a Bakersfield College counselor to review requirements. THIS IS NOT A PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY DEGREE.

A.S. Degree

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Effective (November, 2nd, 2021), (Bakersfield College's Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program) has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (661) 395-3540 or email bcpta@bakersfieldcollege.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Accreditation decision for Bakersfield College's PTA AS Degree Program will be decided upon at the regularly scheduled Fall 2023 meeting of CAPTE following the on-site visit, which will occur during the penultimate term that the charter class is enrolled, Spring of 2022-Fall of 2023. The Accreditation decision will occur prior to December graduation date in Fall of 2023. In some cases, it may occur within thirty (30) days after the graduation date.

Per CAPTE 7.2, all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program and will meet the requirements for the graduate to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. Students of the first graduating cohort will be eligible to take the Nation Physical Therapist Assistant Examination and Jurisprudence Exam in January of 2024 with registration completed by December of 2023 to be eligible.

Once the graduate has successfully passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination and State Jurisprudence Exam, the PTA may begin employment in wide variety of entry level positions. Jobs are readily available and there is full employment for those who choose to work.

*CAPTE, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association is located at 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305; phone: (703)706-3245 or (800) 999-2782; email:accreditation@apta.org

Admission Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED Equivalency
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• A “C” in each prerequisite course: Anatomy/Physiology I & II (BIOL B32 (4units) &B33 (4 units)) or equivalent and PHTA B50 Introduction to PTA (2 units).
• Clinical placements will require background check and drug screen prior to clinical courses.
• Applications due by November 1st each year for spring semester. Upon admission to the program, you must have the following:
  1. Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR Card
  2. Health Clearance (Immunizations and Physical Exam)
  3. Current California Driver's License
  4. Current California automobile insurance and use of an automobile.

PTA Technical Required Coursework After Admission into the PTA Program

Recommended Physical Therapist Assistant General Education Pattern for Associate of Science, but any approved course in BC's A.S. Pattern will be accepted for graduation. (See Counselor for more information)

1. A. Communication (6 units)
   • A.1 Oral Communication (3 units): Comm B1 recommended; Any course listed in Area A.1 of the Gen Ed Pattern in the BC Catalog.
   • A.2 Written Communication (3 units): ENGL B1A
2. B. Physical Universe and Life Forms (4 units)
   • B.1 Natural Sciences (4-8 units): BIOL B18 or BIOL B32 & BIOL B33- prerequisite courses
   • B.2 Mathematics and Logic (3-5 units): MATH B25 recommended
3. C. Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and Foreign Language (3-5 units)
   • PHIL B12 recommended, or any course in Area C: Gen Ed Pattern in the BC Catalog.
4. D. Social, Political, Legal and Economic Institutions & Behavior, Historical Background (6 units)
   • D.1 Foundations int he Behavioral Sciences (3 units): PSYCH B1A recommended, or any course listed in Area D.1 in the BC Catalog.
   • OR D.2 Foundations in the Social Sciences (3 units): Any course listed in Area D.2 in the BC Catalog.
5. AND D.3 American (U.S. Institutions) (3 units): Any course listed in Area D.3 in the BC Catalog.
   • Remember to choose a class that meets the multicultural requirement if you have not already done so. PSYCH B1A meets the multicultural requirement.
6. E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (4 unit)
   • E: Lifelong Understanding and Development (3 units): COMM B2 recommended, or Any course listed in Area E Lifelong Understanding and Development in the BC Catalog.
   • AND Physical Education - 1 unit required from PHED courses listed in the BC Catalog.
7. Educational Planning: STDV B1 recommended, or any course listed in the BC Catalog General Requirements (Recommended to be taken during the first semester of courses at BC to assure priority registration.)